Greetings from the darkness, horror fiends! The Count has awakened from his long slumber to once again bring you a treat from the screen. After such an extended hiatus, I knew that I would have to come back with something really good, so this week I chose the original version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers from 1956. Another oldie, but I promise this one is actually good!
So, just what is up with this invasion business? How does it shake out? Let’s find out together. Dr. Miles Bennell, from the town of Santa Mira, has just returned from vacation, and sees several patience who believe that their loved ones aren’t really their loved ones. He’s really just trying to get with his love interest, Becky, so he tells these people to see a psychiatrist (read: go away kid, you’re bothering me.) Soon he’s called to examine a body, and it looks suspiciously like his friend Jack, but hey, Jack’s the one that found the body! So, the fear and paranoia start to creep into the picture. Soon, they discover the pods (read: pod people) and it pretty much goes downhill from there for everyone involved. That’s enough of a summary, I don’t to give too much away. Only the REAL Count would care so much about the reader, so don’t go saying I was replaced. Only the real Count could rock this eye makeup!
Now, who’s in this movie? I’ll just cover a couple of people really quickly, so we can get to the good stuff. The lead, Dr. Bennell, was played by Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy was in quite a few productions in his time, but some you might recognize? He played Uncle Walt in Twilight Zone: the Movie, and, if you’re like me, you’ll stare at his face and say, “Wasn’t he the bad guy in UHF?” To which the answer is yes, he played the villainous R.J. Fletcher who tried to put the kibosh on our beloved Weird Al. That would be many years later in 1989, and may not have even been the real McCarthy, but a pod person variant.
Dana Wynter played the female lead, Becky Driscoll. This was her most known roll, and unfortunately, she didn’t really do all that much in the film. She was mostly just there to be a love interest, which is kind of a reoccurring problem with these old time movies. She did her best to keep up with McCarthy, but hey, didn’t we all?
Jack was played by King Donovan, which is a name fit for a, well, you know. Donovan was an actor as well as director, and his acting credits in the 50s are pretty impressive. If you’re curious, give him a Google, his filmography is no joke! His wife, whom they called Teddy, was played by Carolyn Jones, whose name you probably don’t know, but you might find yourself saying, “hey, isn’t that Morticia Addams?” And you’d be right. Again! She would play the matriarch of the Addams family in the 60s tv show. And I have to tell you, that’s a pretty good gig compared to this one, where she was just kind of hysterical. But, hey, if people were coming out of pods in my greenhouse? Yeah, I’d be hysterical too.
The movie was directed by Don Siegel and written by Daniel Mainwaring, based off writer Jack Finney’s book the Body Snatchers (more on that in a bit). Older readers may know some of Siegel’s work, as he directed many films, including the 1971 Clint Eastwood flick Dirty Harry (I’m never feeling lucky, by the way) and he also worked on John Wayne’s final film, the Shootist in 1976. These two movies, along with Invasion of the Body Snatchers, make up an impressive resumé. Oh look, I did the fancy accent over the “e”. I’m a classy Count. Writer Mainwaring was also a novelist, writing a bunch of successful mystery novels under the name Geoffery Homes. He wrote many novels, the most highly regarded being Build My Gallows High, which would later be adapted into the film Out of the Past.
This film was, like many films before and after it, but maybe not in the future when illiteracy plagues wipe out libraries, was based off a novel. It was, of course, a science fiction book, simply called The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney, released in 1955. I guess they had quicker turnaround times in those days. Less red tape, since everyone hated the reds back then. Finney was also known for 1970s Time and Again. But that’s not what this movie is based on, so we aren’t going to talk about it! You know what I will talk about though? Communism.
That’s right, I’m bringing back the talk about communism. But in the world of 50s cinema, that’s not really all that hard to believe, is it? See, this film has two ways you can look at what it’s really trying to say, and they both have to deal with the reds. Some people see this movie as an anti-McCarthyism film. No, not the lead actor, but Senator Joseph McCarthy, a man known most prominently for being the face of the red scare in America. The film playing on the paranoia and fear of McCarthyism. On the other side of the coin (and this was honestly the vibe I got,) it was about the communist invasion of American life. Their conformity lack of personal autonomy could easily be seen as an anti-communist view of the film. On the third side of the coin, there’s no hidden meaning at all, which apparently lead actor McCarthy believed. But looking back with a superior 21st century intellect, it’s kind of hard to see this movie, which was made during the cold war, as devoid of any politics whatsoever.
While this film was more of a science fiction movie than, strictly speaking, a horror movie, it still left me with a real feeling of dread and paranoia. It really reminded me, in terms of horror, of the Thing. Not knowing who was real and who was a pod person, that’s a disturbing experience. It makes me wonder which of you readers out there are truly human, but if you read my content, perhaps you are truly devoid of joy, like the pod people.
Also, near the end, there’s a great line that says “they’re already here, and you’re next!” which would have been a marvelous and unsettling way to end the movie. But the higher ups in the studio didn’t like the negative feel that particular ending gave, so they had to shoot wrap arounds that made things a little more hopeful. So if you’re like me, and you say, “gee, that movie ended kind of abruptly,” it’s because they had to tack that bad boy on.
This movie would go on to inspire the 1978 remake (definitely on the list for a watch) a 1993 version called Body Snatchers, and a 2007 film simply called The Invasion. It’s got legs, and like a volcano overdue for an eruption, is probably going to get another remake, reboot, sequel, or prequel soon. I know there’s something to be said about social media in there, people, come on let’s get moving.
My advice to you, gentle reader, is always know the signs that someone you love, is truly someone you love. Of course, there aren’t many of those in this movie, you just kind of have to know. But when you love someone, you can probably tell they’ve been replaced by an emotionless husk. Unless they’re like my ex-wife! Just kidding, honey, here’s the alimony.
This movie is worth a watch. Not only is it a classic, but it’s actually very good. I personally can’t wait to watch the 1978 version with Donald Sutherland, because I think that will be even better. I get the feeling it’s another The Thing From Another World vs the Thing. Both good, but one kicks it way way up.
Until next time, keep your eyes on the skies and in the garden. Watch out for those pods, y’all. I hope to see you again soon for another installment of IT CAME FROM THE SCREEN!
It Came from the Screen 